Do Taoists Believe in God? - Bobba

Transcript, References & Disclaimer below:

Transcript:

Philosophical Taoists do not believe in a personal God as it is advocated by the mainstream Abrahamic religions [1].

Whereas the Abrahamic God is based on the political model of the ancient near Middle East, the Ancient Chinese did not see Nature or the Universe as something that was responding to a cosmic king or boss.

The Taoists saw Nature as something that functioned automatically, following a highly intelligent pattern often portrayed as the Yin-Yang. They named this indefinable mystery Tao and saw it as the fundamental reality beyond all concepts.
 
Rather than a God, Tao is more similar to a force such as gravity or electromagnetic radiation. Therefore it doesn't make sense to personify Tao, as this only further perpetuates the illusion of separateness. The best way we can benefit from Tao is by observing Nature and applying the experience to our own life.
 
Those on 'The Path' show their respect for Tao by the appreciation of all life. This is a commitment to share this planet with all other life forms and respecting the natural environment.

Although there are great advantages for us to follow 'The Way', we are not compelled to do so. In the [paraphrased] words of Lao Tzu [2], "Tao provides a pattern for everything to follow, without requiring anything to follow it." [3]
 
Tao is best experienced through the adoption of 'Wu Wei' [4]. This is a condition where the use of force and control are avoided. Wu Wei is the harmony found when we flow with the course of Nature or subtly redirect its energies for the benefit of all beings.

Those who flow with Nature are provided with everything needed to flourish. Unhindered animals in their natural habitat need only follow their intuition to find everything required for survival.  

It is for this reason that adherents of Tao believe if something is difficult to obtain, it probably isn't necessary. It is often the desire for the socially highly prized, that obstructs living in harmony with Tao [5].

Lao Tzu suggested contentment can only be found when one lives a life of simplicity and is therefore in the best position to be generous [6].

References
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abrahamic_religion
[2] http://www.taopage.org/laotzu/
[3] http://www.wussu.com/laotzu/laotzu34.html
[4] http://www.taoism.net/sanctuary/sanctum/050222-wuwei.htm
[5] http://www.wussu.com/laotzu/laotzu64.html http://www.wussu.com/laotzu/laotzu53.html
[6] http://www.wussu.com/laotzu/laotzu67.html

Disclaimer:

Whenever the word "Taoism" is used on this channel, it is Philosophical Taoism that is intended. Philosophical Taoism should not be confused with Religious Taoism, which involves deity worship and ritualistic magic. Superstition, dogma and most of the other trappings of "religion", are of little interest to Philosophical Taoists.

Although every care has been taken to represent the authentic Taoist philosophy, the information presented on this channel is often my personal view and may differ from other followers of Tao. These differences occur because all people are free to interpret the teachings of Nature for themselves. I am neither an academic nor a sage and I don't claim to have any special insight. I'm simply a being sharing my journey of discovery.

I welcome all your questions and comments.
Bobba

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Tao
• Wu
• Wei
• Yin
• Yang
• Ancient
• Chinese
• Philosophy
• God
• Intelligent
• Pattern
• The
• Path
• Way
• Lao
• Tzu
• Taoism
• Dao
• Daoism
• Fundamental
• Reality
• Nature

[CrazyMeowCat101]

He said that Tao would be a force like gravity so does he mean that Tao is like Chi Energy ?

[TaoFAQ]

@CrazyMeowCat101 I guess "Chi" would be an apt metaphor.

[larbo1616]

Tao similar to forces like gravity? I would see the Tao as an impersonal entity. Something like Nirguna Brahman (the Impersonal Brahman) in HInduism.

[TaoFAQ]

@larbo1616 If I was to rewrite this piece I would describe Tao a little differently. Tao is more akin to the indescribable patterns we see in Nature, that the Ancient Chinese called "Li". Li has also been called "Organic Pattern", such as the patterns in jade, the grain in wood or the fibre in muscle. As part of Chaos Theory, science now calls these patterns "Fractals". Fractals is the order that comes out of Chaos to form the Universe in which we live. It is this intelligent order that is Tao.

[TaoFAQ]

@KayNyne13 That is a very good question and something that confuses many. There are two distinct forms of Taoism: Philosophical and Religious. The deities etc are only found in Religious Taoism. The foremost Western interpreter of Taoism, Alan Watts said, "Religious Taoism and Philosophical Taoism are similar in name only". Philosophical Taoism focuses on Nature through the teachings of Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu, and is therefore free of alchemy, ritualistic magic and gods etc.

[PolishCutie93]

I really like taoism :), though i was raised catholic so it would be hard to leave god. I will need to learn more about this and my own religion

[yinyangnature]

@whiteyy2991 I think these words from the Ancient Taoist sage Chuang Tzu, goes some way to answering your question. "How can we tell if the love of life is not a delusion? How can we tell whether a person who fears death is not like a person who has left home and dreads returning? If we regard the Universe and earth as a great melting pot, creation and transformation as a master smith, then where can we be sent and not find it fitting?"

[whiteyy2991]

@TaoFAQ Like your videos on Taoism!, i'm really interested in Taoism philosophy. But what is the Taoist view on death or if there is an afterlife in philosophical Taoism?

[drewnut]

Love the intro and closing song

[Beatstranger]

Thanks for these videos. Very well exposed, clear and pleasant to watch.

[yinyangnature]

@Jeromepsy001 Tao doesn't create or do anything. Tao is a void from which all things arise. I suggest any notions of reality arise from an overly active human mind, rather than emptiness. (Alias TaoFAQ)

[Jeromepsy001]

@TaoFAQ I know that in taoism, tao is incomprehensible but is it equivalent to Yaweh to the jews and allah to muslim? or did tao create a God that created everything else similar to greek mythology of chaos and gaia.

[yinyangnature]

@SanguineBullet667 I think this has a lot to do with growing up to only appreciate 'on', 'action' and 'full'. We become so focused on these concepts, we have no appreciation or understanding of the opposite - believing them worthless or even threatening. Many people now practice meditation to give themselves a rest from always being 'on'. They find having a completely empty mind very beneficial. Many call this dying while still alive and so over come their fear of both emptiness and death.

[SanguineBullet667]

@TaoFAQ that doesn't sound very appealing. 'emptyness' isn't something I would personally choose from an outsider perspectiver over 'glorious castle in the sky'. 'emptyness' sounds too much like atheism.